Speed and Acceleration of Cars on Lambert Road
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Speed and Acceleration of Cars on Lambert Road
To measure the speeds of cars traveling on and the acceleration of cars as they stop a red light on Lambert Road.
Hypothesis:
Most cars traveling on Lambert road will travel at a legal speed of 60km/hr or under. Cars will start accelerating at exactly the same distance before the lights and stop at exactly the white line in front of the lights.
Hazards:
– being hit by a car
– falling onto the road
Materials:
– A rope with 5m intervals
– A stopwatch
Method:
Part 1: Speed
1. A distance of 20m was measured using the rope. One group member was placed at the start and one at the finish.
2. As a car passed the start, the stopwatch was started.
3. As the car reached the finish, the group member at the finish made a shouting signal and the stopwatch was stopped.
4. The times were recorded and the speed calculated using the formula v=s/t.
5. Steps 1-4 were repeated with nine more cars.
Part 2: Acceleration
1. A distance of 50m was measured using the rope. One group member was placed at the start and one at the finish.
2. As a car passed the start, the stopwatch was started.
3. As the car reached the finish, the group member at the finish made a shouting signal and the stopwatch was stopped.
4. The times were recorded and the acceleration calculated using the formula a = s ч (vt – Ð tІ).
5. Steps 1-4 were repeated with four more cars.
Results:
First set
Speed
Distance – s (m)
Time – t (s)
Speed – v (m/s) v= s/t
Speed – v
(km/hr)
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
Acceleration
Distance – s (m)
Final speed – v (m/s)
Time – t (s)
Acceleration – a (m/sІ)
a = s ч (vt – Ð tІ)
50.0 ± 0.5
12.65
50.0 ± 0.5
50.0 ± 0.5
50.0 ± 0.5
50.0 ± 0.5
10.69
Results:
Second set
Speed
Distance – s (m)
Time – t (s)
Speed – v (m/s) v= s/t
Speed – v
(km/hr)
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
20.0 ± 0.5
Acceleration
Distance – s (m)
Final speed – v (m/s)
Time – t (s)
Acceleration – a (m/sІ)
a = s ч (vt – Ð… tІ)
50.0 ± 0.5
50.0 ± 0.5
50.0 ± 0.5
50.0 ± 0.5
50.0 ± 0.5
Calculations: Working out speed (v):
= s/t
=20/2.2
= 9.09
= 9.1 m/s
Working out acceleration (a):
= vt – Ð… atІ
= s ч (vt – Ð… tІ)
= 50 ч (0 x 8.84 – Ð… 8.84І)
= 50 ч -39.07
= -1.28
= -1.3 m/sІ
Converting m/s to km/hr:
m/s x 3.6
= 16.8 m/s x 3.6 = 60.5km/hr
Working out time (t):
= 50.0
= 9.0 m/s
= s ч (u + v)
= 50.0 ч (9.0 + 0)
= 50.0 ч (9.0)
= 50.0 ч 4.5
= 11.11
= 11s
= 50.0
= 14.0